Harwich Town News: Treasure Chest, 'Eyes on Owls' show

Friday

Mar 2, 2018 at 3:01 AM

Town treasures

The Treasure Chest at the transfer station now has rules of etiquette for its volunteers as well as a committee to oversee the operation of the site where residents can bring recyclable items to be swapped free for others.

The reorganization was prompted by some complaints about how customers were being treated; the selectmen had asked for changes.

Director of Public Works Lincoln Hooper said Monday some of the complaints were valid and changes were needed. Tom Caruso, the new Treasure Chest committee chairman, and Eric Fable, former interim chairman and current clerk, helped enact the positive changes at the Treasure Chest, Hooper said.

Caruso said Monday that the rules come down to the basic: “Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.” He said the committee will work to enforce the rules. He also said it was important to recognize the many dedicated volunteers, some who have been working at the Treasure Chest for five to 15 years.

Selectmen approved the committee charge 4-1 with the additional requirements that committee members be listed and take the ethics test. Selectmen Chairman Michael MacAskill asked the committee to try to limit the site to Harwich residents.

Outdoor bars

Three selectmen’s agenda items Monday that were meant to be procedural matters turned into a long discussion, with complaints from residents about the noise and disruption that outdoor bars at two downtown Harwich Port restaurants generate.

Public hearings were held on three restaurants, Perks, the Port and Ember, to update their site plans to coincide with the more recent outdoor bar additions. The complaints were about Perks’ and the Port’s bars only.

The selectmen’s action was needed only to approve the altered site plans. All three liquor licenses were approved previously, but the approvals did not include the updated site plans, which now have to go back to the planning board and the building department for approvals, Town Administrator Chris Clark explained.

Cathy Franos, whose home on Sea Street abuts the Port, said the home where she lives with her husband Bill and three children for the first time had “become unlivable due to live amplified music and a shouting crowd” from the bars into the early morning.

“The culture has completely changed in the neighborhood and affected our ability to sleep and feel safe,” she said. She asked the board to deny the expansion plans, however, that was not within the board’s jurisdiction.

Bill Franos said they had called the Port many times about the noise and only got responses when they called the police. He said the Port and Perks compete with the noise, but he said Perks does close the bar at 11 p.m., as required.

Taylor Powell, manager of Perks, apologized to the couple, saying he did not want to create problems with the neighbors and asked to meet with them.

Selectmen Chairman Michael MacAskill said the town is aware of the problems and had passed a noise law that required a 150-foot buffer. The business owners have been cited and if the problems continue the selectmen can pull their liquor licenses, he said.

The selectmen approved all three applications, 4-1, contingent on the planning and building department approvals. Don Howell voted no based on procedural issues.

Eyes on Owls

Live owls of all sizes are returning to the Harwich Community Center for three programs (10 a.m., and 1 and 3 p.m.) on Saturday, March 3, hosted by the Harwich Conservation Trust. The program called Eyes on Owls, is led by naturalist educators Marcia and Mark Wilson, who tour the Northeast, offering audiences up-close looks at these secretive raptors.

Tickets are $5 each for ages 5 to 11 and $10 each for ages 12 to adult. The program is not recommended for ages under 5. Reserve online at harwichconservationtrust.org or pay at the door.

The community center is located at 100 Oak St.

The Wilsons will bring owls that are found locally including great-horned owl, screech owl and saw-whet owl. They will also showcase owls from around the globe, including the Eurasian eagle owl (largest owl species in the world by weight) and the South American spectacled owl. The barred owl with its dark charcoal-colored eyes and the striking snowy owl will also make appearances.

Each owl has a permanent disability, which prevents release into the wild. The Wilsons are permitted by state and federal agencies to tour with the owls.

Fine amnesty

Fine amnesty time is here. Donate non-perishable food items at the library throughout the month of March to have your fines cleared.

Half-price sale

Starting Wednesday, March 14, all winter clothing, shoes and hats at Noah's Ark Thrift Shop will be half price. The sale will continue for the next few weeks. New spring clothing will be available at the beginning of April.

The shop is located at Christ Church Episcopal, at the corner of Route 28 and Harbor Road in Harwich Port. Hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dems meet

The Harwich Democratic Town Committee will meet Saturday, March 3, at 10 a.m., at the Harwich Community Center on Oak Street.

Speakers include; Scott Carpenter, superintendent of the Monomoy Regional School District and members of the Young Democrats Club.